His disregard for his father’s house and belongings, and his preoccupation with dad not leaving him any money, sets the entire emotional palette for the character. Well, I suppose I better do it as well.”īen Foster’s metamorphosis from the caring young solider in “The Messenger” into this ungrateful screwed up son Steven who turns into a vengeful killing machine is mindblowing. But I was at breakfast with Ben and he said, ‘Jason’s gonna do the big jump himself. I knew Jason would that because he’s fearless at that stuff. 450 feet tall with nothing around it and he’s running around the edge of the it and then hanging over the edge and then jumps off the edge 450 feet on a cable that’s about and just free falling down. , I could barely stand on the top of this building. Some of the time we stick the camera on the car and he just drives himself. He looks invincible and when you speak with him, his confidence and enthusiasm make you believe he’s invincible – just like his character.Īccording to West, “ insists on doing his own stunts. That is Jason Statham doing actual driving without benefit of a camera car rig attached to it. That is Statham jumping off a 30 story building – and not just once, but multiple times. ![]() ![]() Yes, folks, that is Statham jumping 50 feet off a bridge into a moving river. But what makes Jason Statham, Jason Statham, is his natural athletic ability and the fact that he does all of his own stunt work. Statham then easily handles the shift from the lone warrior to mentor and teacher to Steven, a very redemptive act that then propels the film to a higher level. He had me tearing up watching much as he did in “Transporter 2″ and his relationship with his young charge. A priceless sequence and moment in the film. As Bishop, he is initially ice, but when the tables turn, Statham softens his resolve for just a moment and you see a pained look, a softened look of admiration and respect and love. Statham has this incredible brooding intensity and focus that we see time and again, but then he brings this great sense of consciousness and humanity to the package. No one but Jason Statham can I ever see playing Arthur Bishop in this film. Best known for his work in the “Transporter” series and most recently, “The Expendables”, Statham is the epitome of an action star. As comes as no surprise, Bishop does take Steven under his wing as Harry had done with Bishop, but the unusual pairing leads to dire consequences for all concerned as deceit, lies and a crisis of conscience take hold. Having always acted alone, Bishop is now faced with keeping Steven safe and taking him under his wing or, or letting him continue with his rage-filled vendetta. Harry is killed and his son Steven is looking for revenge on those responsible. But circumstances arise which place Bishop in a very delicate and dangerous predicament. His one contact and friend is his mentor, Harry McKenna. Given the nature of the beast, Bishop follows a strict code of conduct with total detachment and isolation from the world and other people but for an occasional liaison with his favorite New Orleans call girl. No, not the kind that tinkers with your car, but the kind known as a very well paid elite assassin, and I do mean, very well paid by Dean Sanderson and the board of a large financial consortium who have particular reasons for needing certain individuals eliminated. 2011 now starts off with THE MECHANIC which is already my #1 guilty pleasure of the year.ĭescribed by director Simon West as a man “who’s so cool at what he does, he’s so good at it, I want to see him do it again”, Arthur Bishop is a mechanic. Last year we had RED, HARRY BROWN and THE EXPENDABLES as three great examples of action films that harken back to true action but smartened up and with more tech happening. It is wonderful to see this great resurgence in action films that has been occurring the past few years, but not just “action” films – action films that also employ some smarts and brains within the characters and the plot lines. My only complaint is that the film ended! And folks, I am already looking for a sequel which I am assured by producer David Winkler is “ready to go” depending on the box office. ![]() Simon West has helmed an exhilarating moviegoing experience! What film am I talking about? It can only be one – the first great action thrill ride of 2011 – THE MECHANIC. ![]() Nail biting tension that just mounts with each target kill and with the thickening plot. Mega explosions, massive amounts of perfectly executed elaborate heart pounding stunts, non-stop edge-of-your-seat thrill ride excitement.
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